Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe from Taiwain will perform “Journey of the Monkey King” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Sunday, August 6. This will be the company’s first performance in America. (Photo courtesy of Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe)

Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe will perfrom a traditional tea dancing opera piece in their show at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Sunday, August 4. (Photo courtesy of Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe)

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Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe from Taiwain will perform “Journey of the Monkey King” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Sunday, August 6. This will be the company’s first performance in America. (Photo courtesy of Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe)

Newport Beach resident and author Kailin Gow loves things that are “edgy, cool, bright, exciting, hopeful, glittery, jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring,” so says her website. She has written more than 300 books, started a production company and created an animated TV show. But behind her extensive résumé is a woman with a heart for doing things that make a difference.

This Sunday, Aug. 6, Gow will direct and emcee a Taiwanese dance showcase with proceeds benefiting cancer research. The “Spreading Love Fighting Cancer Charity Concert” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium features the Golden Melody Award-winning Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe in its American premiere. Through music, dance, acrobatics and martial arts, the ensemble will bring to life an ancient Chinese fable called “Journey of the Monkey King.”

“It is a unique and special treat to attend a performance of an ancient lost art form, revived and brought back to life from the only troupe still performing it in Taiwan,” Gow said. “It is a global story that everyone can relate to today.”

The 70-member Hakka Opera Troupe spans four generations and regards their show as way to carry Hakka culture to the world and future generations.

As “Journey of the Monkey King” tells a story about the fight between good and evil, audiences will see high-energy kung fu mixed with the dramatic and elegant traditions of tea-picking opera dancing.

According to Gow, the tea dance is rarely performed and it comes from the tradition of tea farmers communicating over long distances through song.

Gow talks about this tradition in one of her books, “The Perfect Cup: TEA,” based on the “The Perfect Cup” travel and food show in which she explores the world of tea.

In addition to the Hakka Opera Troupe, the Lei Dance Theatre, also from Taiwan, and the Irvine-based Sun Musical Concert Choir will perform. In total, more than 150 artists will contribute to this celebration of Taiwanese culture.

“I hope people who see the show learn something from this country,” Gow said. “I think (Taiwan) has been overlooked as far as what they bring to the world and they are making great, important discoveries. This show gives a new appreciation for culture and show that Taiwan want to be able to help the world.”

President of the Taiwanese Hakka Association of America and organizer of the event James Liang said in press release that proceeds will benefit the Dr. Susan Love Foundation Research for Breast Cancer and The John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

“Spreading Love Fighting Cancer Charity Concert will bring Taiwan’s premier opera, acrobat and martial arts performers to the stage to dazzle the American audience,” Liang said. “It will help bring awareness to efforts that are being made to cure a disease that is the leading cause of death worldwide and raise money for organizations at the forefront of cancer research.”

From its humble origins as entertainment for the agricultural community, to playing Taiwan’s prestigious National Theatre Hall and now coming to the United States, the Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe is making sure its art form continues into the modern age.

Kaitlin Wright is a freelancer who had written about the arts for the Orange County Register since 2013. Having studied dance and literary journalism at the University of California, Irvine, she was lucky to combine both interests in her coverage of professional dance in Southern California. Kaitlin also wrote about lifestyle and decor trends for OC Home magazine. Kaitlin lived in Albuquerque, Las Vegas and the Antelope Valley before moving to Orange County for college.

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